New Lucy U.S. Postal Stamp for 2009

As reported by the Associated Press, Lucy and Ethel lose their struggle with a chocolate assembly line. Joe Friday demands "just the facts" with a penetrating gaze. A secret word brings Groucho a visit from a duck.

Folks who grew up as television came of age will delight in a 20-stamp set included in the Postal Service's plans for 2009 recalling early memories of the medium.

Besides commemorating black-and-white TV, the service's 2009 postage stamp program ranges from commemorating President Abraham Lincoln to the Thanksgiving Day parade, civil rights pioneers, actor Gary Cooper, poet Edgar Allan Poe, Supreme Court justices and Alaska and Hawaii statehood.

Most of the commemorative stamps are priced at 42 cents, the current first-class rate. However, a rate increase is scheduled in May and the size will depend on the consumer price index.

The Early TV Memories stamp set is scheduled for release Aug. 11 in Los Angeles.

One recalls the quiz show "You Bet Your Life," on which the unflappable Groucho Marx awarded prizes to contestants who answered questions. If they said a secret word, a toy duck dropped down with a cash reward.

In a memorable scene from "I Love Lucy," Lucille Ball and sidekick Ethel Mertz work at an assembly line that speeds up and they can't wrap the candy quickly enough, causing panic.

In the stamp commemorating the cop show "Dragnet," star Jack Webb as detective Joe Friday gives his "just the facts, ma'am," stare, while on another stamp sweetheart singer Dinah Shore throws the audience a kiss.

Other shows featured are "Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Ed Sullivan Show," "George Burns & Gracie Allen Show," "Hopalong Cassidy," "The Honeymooners," "Howdy Doody," "Kukla, Fran and Ollie," "Lassie," "The Lone Ranger," "Perry Mason," "Phil Silvers Show," "Red Skelton," "Texaco Star Theater," "Tonight Show" and "Twilight Zone."

For more information on these stamps, visit the U.S. Postal Service website.

TVLand Celebrates New Years with Lucy Marathon

TV Land Celebrates the New Year with 'Lucy's New Year's Eve Countdown,' a Marathon of Viewers Favorite 'I Love Lucy' Episodes. Visitors Can Log Onto TVLand.com Throughout December To Vote For Their Favorite Episodes.

TV Land viewers are ringing in 2009 with "Lucy's New Year's Eve Countdown" on Wednesday, December 31 from 8AM to 9PM ET/PT, a hilarious showcase of "I Love Lucy" episodes specially voted on by them. Throughout the month of December, TVLand.com has been inviting viewers to vote for their all-time favorite madcap episodes of this series. Tune in on New Year's Eve day to see which episodes made the cut, from Lucy's "Vitameatavegamin" commercial to Lucy and Ethel's candy factory debacle to the legendary episode of Lucy crushing grapes. As an added bonus, visitors to the Web site can also watch classic episode clips, view a photo gallery of iconic pictures from the series and play an "I Love Lucy" trivia game.

Lucille Ball stars as the screwball redhead Lucy Ricardo in the timeless comedy "I Love Lucy." The sitcom revolves around her obsession with breaking into showbiz, her relationship with her Cuban bandleader husband, Ricky (Desi Arnaz) and the crazy antics that she gets them into with their best friends, Fred and Ethel Mertz (William Frawley and Vivian Vance). The situation comedy remains an enduring classic and continues to resonate with every generation. Lucille Ball was posthumously awarded the Legacy of Laughter Award at the TV Land Awards in 2007 for her groundbreaking career and body of work including her hilarious portrayal of Lucy.

About TV Land PRIME and TV Land
TV Land PRIME is TV Land's prime time programming destination designed for people in their mid-forties and the exclusive home to the premieres of the network's original programming, contemporary television series acquisitions and movies. TV Land PRIME is part of TV Land, a network dedicated to presenting the best in entertainment on all platforms for consumers in their 40s and 50s. Consisting of original programming, acquired shows, hit movies and full-service web site, TV Land is now seen in over 93 million U.S. homes. For up-to-the-minute and archival press information including releases and photographs, please visit TV Land's press-only Web site at www.tvland.com.

About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (VIA, is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.

Lucy's Personal Assistants Revisit "Stu's Show" on Shokus Internet Radio

Wanda Clark, Lucille Ball's personal secretary for 27 years, and Frank Gorey, Lucy's "major domo" at her Roxbury home for 30 years, will be Stu Shostak's in-studio guests LIVE this Wednesday, December 10th beginning at 4:00 p.m. PST (7:00 p.m. EST) on Shokus Internet Radio.

Both will share their memories of working behind the scenes with television's favorite redhead. Topics this time will include Lucy asking her children to join her as supporting players on "Here's Lucy", the transition from weekly TV to occasional specials and then returning with "Life With Lucy", as well as Lucy's thoughts on Desi Jr. dating Liza Minelli and Patty Duke. In addition, Frank will recount the moments leading up to Lucy's aorta rupturing and her fateful trip to Cedars hospital, which led to her ultimate passing the following week. In addition, listeners will be invited to call in on the station's toll free phone number with questions and comments.

"Stu's Show" airs live each Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. PDT on Shokus Internet Radio, with rebroadcasts at the same time daily. Access to the station's feed is free, with no registration required, and is available either by clicking on the ENTER SITE button on the home page ( www.shokusradio.com), by choosing one of the audio player links on the main page, via iTunes by selecting Radio/Eclectic and then locating the station's name alphabetically in the list, and now via iPhone by installing the WunderRadio program available from the iTunes online store.

Shokus Internet Radio is a service of Shokus Video, and is "TV on the radio for baby boomers", with live call-in talk shows featuring TV celebrities, classic stand-up comedy from the great comedians, and big band, easy listening, and 50s/60s golden hits during the morning and afternoon drive times.

Lucie Arnaz Visits the Lucy-Desi Center

Lucie Arnaz paid a visit to the Lucy-Desi Center and met with the Center's Acting Excutive Director, Ed Fagan on a new initiative.

From the Jamestown Post-Journal:

Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill was in Jamestown on Friday morning to see the center off on its newest venture - a national initiative that will combine humor and health care.

The center's initiative will bring humor to hospitals and clinics around the country.

"Laughter is the best medicine," said Ed Fagan, the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center's acting executive director. "We want to carry that idea to clinics and hospitals - anywhere where the healing power of laughter is most needed. We think this, more than any center or museum, most closely represents the way Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz wanted to enrich the world."

This weekend, experts from Tampa, Fla., St. Louis, Mo., and Rochester will come to Jamestown and collaborate with Lucy-Desi Center officials on how their initiative can best be undertaken. A local advisory committee has also been formed, according to Mary Jane Price, the center's mission and outreach director.

"This weekend marks a greatly needed, new direction for the Lucy-Desi Center," Ms. Price said.

Ms. Price said the weekend's roundtable discussion has been in the works for about the last six months - ever since she met Ms. Luckinbill at the National Humor Conference in June.

"We got to talking about my ideas for the (mission and outreach) department and discussing our thoughts on how we could best honor the legacies of her parents, and those kinds of things," Ms. Price said. "Other participants joined in the brainstorming, and now we're coming together this weekend to define our initiative."

Mrs. Luckinbill said the center's new initiative is "perfect."

"Since we first agreed to be involved here in Mom's hometown, all Desi and I have ever hoped for was that she and Dad would be remembered with something unique and uplifting," she said. "We thought Jamestown could be a powerful destination offering more than just memories and memorabilia with a vision toward the future. It's headed that way, and I think it's perfect."

Also Friday morning, Mrs. Luckinbill and Fagan announced that last month, a new three-year business and licensing agreement between Mrs. Luckinbill, Desi Arnaz Jr. and the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center was signed. The agreement means the center can continue using images and likenesses of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

"I can't overemphasize how important this licensing agreement is to the center," Fagan said. "Lucie and her brother have entrusted to us the legacy of their parents. We will make carrying that legacy forward in new directions a top priority."

Lucy Saying Farewell to TVLand at Year's End

All things must come to an end sometime or so they say. TVLand who has played "I Love Lucy" series since time remembered is now going to end the beloved series at the end of the year.

According to SitcomesOnline, I Love Lucy is headed for The Hallmark Channel this January, TV Land has to say goodbye. TV Land says "Bon Voyage" to 2008 and I Love Lucy as they countdown to the New Year with everybody's favorite classic sitcom, I Love Lucy, as the show leaves the network. Spend the day living vicariously through The Ricardos' and The Mertzes' antics, escapades and adventures as we countdown the all-time Top 25 I Love Lucy episodes--voted by you the fans. All throughout the month of December, TV Land gives fans the opportunity to vote which episodes they want to see during Lucy's New Year's Eve Countdown. Customized countdown flags and packaged I Love Lucy vignettes with color commentary will air throughout the stunt as it gains momentum and reaches its zenith with the I Love Lucy episode ranked #1 by the viewers. It was a year to remember and it'll be a TV Land send-off viewers will never forget. Goodbye Lucy!

Desi Arnaz Interview on ReRun It

Desi Arnaz was much more than Lucille Ball’s co-star. He was an innovative entertainment industry pioneer who was responsible for creating the multi-camera technique, which introduced the concept of having several cameras shooting the same scene, at the same time, but from different angels. It was revolutionary in the 1950’s and remains a standard in the business today.

Desi Arnaz talks about I Love Lucy, his studio and his innovative camera technique in interviews, exclusively at RerunIt.com.

Segment 1 "The Chemestry"

Segment 2 "Universal Appeal"

Segment 3 "Multi-Camera is Born"

Lucille Ball Lighting Up in Library

The New York Public Library is running an exhibit featuring various cigarette advertisements from the last century. Many of the ads make claims that today would be ridiculous if not libelous. one proclaiming "more doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette."

The exhibit, titled "Not a Cough in a Carload: Images Used by Tobacco Companies to Hide the Hazards of Smoking," opened Tuesday and will be at the library's Science, Industry and Business branch on Madison Avenue through Dec. 26.

Of course, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz had many cigarette sponsors such as Phillip Morris. Lucille Ball even became "The Chesterfield Girl" on billboards when she was a model before her movie and TV career. Lucille Ball became such a fan of Chesterfield cigarettes that years later, during the filming of the "I Love Lucy" series, she put Chesterfield cigarettes in her sponsors' Phillip Morris cigarette boxes in order to smoke her favorite brand without annoying her sponsor.

You can view a few of these cigarette ads in video advertisements from "I Love Lucy" at the Everything Lucy website.

In addition to Lucille Ball, you'll see Santa Claus puffing on a PallMall as well as movie stars, athletes and others, such as Ronald Regan, Marlene Dietrich, Claudette Colbert, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Even cartoon characters such as Flintstones appear in the ads. No one was left out, even children and babies were used as props in the ads.

The curator, Dr. Robert Jackler, said he began collecting tobacco ads when his mother, a longtime smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer. This exhibit is a memorial to her since her death last year.

You can read more about the exhibit from the Associate Press or The New York Times


The New York Public Library is located at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in New York City.

Jenny Lewis of "Life With Lucy" Fame, Digs into Her Past

A former child star from a broken home, Jenny Lewis is the voice of Rilo Kiley who had a cult hit with the Watson Twins. Her new solo album sees her dig ever deeper into the dark side of her past. Nick Hasted meets her in LA.

Jenny Lewis, who played Becky McGibbon with Lucille Ball in "Life With Lucy" when she was young provided an inside look into her life in an interview with The Independent. Excerpts of that interview below:

Put out to work by her mother as a child-actress in Hollywood, aged four, she worked alongside Lucille Ball, and Angelina Jolie.

"You know I've felt how I feel today since I was eight years old. I've always felt lonely, even if I'm in a great relationship, or surrounded by my friends and family. I don't know what happened prior to that that made me feel that way. But I've been the same person since 1982."

That was when she became a full-time television actress, five years after her parents divorced. They were a double act in showbiz's twilight zone. After divorce, dad disappeared. Mum, unemployed in LA, put her toddler to work on TV.

The cameras that stared at Lewis through her adolescence perhaps explain her shyness since. It took more than a decade as a musician for her to release a record under her own name. It's as if some vital emotional growth was held back, in her Hollywood childhood. "I feel like I never got a chance to be a child," she agrees. "I wouldn't change it for the world. But when you're a kid supporting your family, you're forced to keep your eye on the prize. I have a great work ethic, from watching Lucille Ball, not necessarily my own family."

"I've lived a good and strange life. I'm a late bloomer, in every aspect. I'm a slow-moving train. But I'll get there eventually. I like people, that's the thing. I'm the most negative optimist you'll ever meet."

For the complete interview, please read "Jenny Lewis - My private traumas" from The Independent.

The Lucy Show on DVD Coming in 2009?

This just in from TV Shows on DVD: Fans of The Lucy Show Getting Told by CBS DVD to Expect a Release. However, the studio hasn't gone "on the record" with press to confirm these 'rumors'.

For months now, we've been getting the occasional reader e-mail saying that fans of The Lucy Show that managed to talk to somebody at CBS DVD about it, were told to expect an upcoming home video release of the show. Some have even mentioned that, according the responses they got (usually by phone!), restoration and music licensing have been in the process of being worked on, and that we would see DVDs in the first part of next year. For example, our most recent note on the topic comes from reader William Bennett (Ben) Warfield, who provides us this rather exact timeframe info:

CBS telephoned me back yesterday and said they are looking at a late spring 2009 release date for the first (black and white) season of "The Lucy Show."

We've personally tried contacting CBS DVD to confirm this, as well as trying to ask around at their distributor, Paramount Home Entertainment. We had even reached out to I Love Lucy DVD Producer Gregg Oppenheimer, on the off chance that he might know something about Lucy Show releases. We realize that the last one is a bit of a stretch, though, since Gregg's involvement on I Love Lucy DVDs had mainly been due to his father's Producer and Writer work on the original series' broadcasts. However, Jess Oppenheimer was never involved on any other of Lucille Ball's later programs, so there's no real reason yet to expect Gregg to be involved with DVDs of those shows. As a result, we mainly concentrated on asking at the studio(s).

The result of our "pounding the pavement"? As you would expect, we've had a number of unreturned phone calls and e-mails, but we did manage to get someone from the studio on the phone here and there. However, nobody was willing to go on the record with the press at this time, to publicly confirm the second-quarter 2009 release that fans have apparently been informed of. We also asked our retail industry contacts, naturally, but they had no information about any possible release. However, they noted that a timeline of "late spring" logically means that retailers would not get their solicitations from the studio until sometime in the general "January/February" timeframe, which is still a ways off.

So as you can see, this word of an upcoming Lucy Show DVD release, although it feels pretty promising, officially remains at the "RUMOR" stage for now...at least as far as we're concerned. We're still waiting on one or two return calls that we had been promised, though, and if they bear any fruit then we'll post an update. In the meantime, we wanted to let all of you excited fans who've been e-mailing us know that we are indeed looking into it. And please, bear in mind that even if the info does turn out to be accurate, remember that it's still early planning information, and could be subject to change. We'll post more as further developments occur, so stay tuned!

To Stay Current and Up-To-Date on any TV Show that appears on DVD, visit TV Shows on DVD. And Stay Tuned here on "Everything Lucy" blog for all the Lucille Ball News on the Internet Today!

Doris Singlton from I Love Lucy fame on Shokus Radio

Veteran character actress Doris Singleton, known to fans everywhere as Lucy Ricardo's arch rival Caroline Appleby, will be Stu Shostak's in-studio guest live this coming Wednesday, September 17 at 4:00 p.m. PDT, 7:00 p.m. EDT on "Stu's Show", the signature program on Shokus Internet Radio.

In addition to discussing her episodes on "I Love Lucy" (including such classics as "Baby Pictures", "Harpo Marx", and "Lucy Meets Superman"), Doris will talk about her guest roles on such hit shows as "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "The Danny Thomas Show", "Gomer Pyle, USMC", "The Twilight Zone", "All in the Family", "Perry Mason", and many others. The two will also pay tribute to Doris' late husband Charles Isaacs, a gifted TV comedy writer. Listeners to the program can call in and participate by calling the station's toll-free telephone number.

"Stu's Show" airs live each Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. PDT on Shokus Internet Radio, with rebroadcasts at the same time daily. Access to the station's feed is free, with no registration required, and is available either by clicking on the ENTER SITE button on the home page (www.shokusradio.com), by choosing one of the audio player links on the main.html page or via Itunes by selecting Radio/Eclectic and then locating the station's name alphabetically in the list.

Shokus Internet Radio is a service of Shokus Video, and is "TV on the radio for baby boomers", with live call-in talk shows featuring TV celebrities, classic stand-up comedy from the great comedians, and big band, easy listening, and 50s/60s golden hits during the morning and afternoon drive times.

Lucy-Desi Center Executive Director and Assistant Fired

As alot of Lucy Fans already know, a scandal had been brewing for quite some time at the Lucy-Desi Center. Last Fall even Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr. left along with others from the board of the Lucy-Desi Center. This alone sparked interest and alot of questions followed. I first reported their departure on this site last year.

Now, this past Friday Ric Wyman and Pat Brininger have been fired! Alot of speculation and rumors abound of the two who brought nothing but grief and misery to the center. During their reign, no laughter was at the Lucy-Desi Center. Through the mishandling of the center and the loss of major donors and support, enough voices were brought together that a separate site was setup to gather testimonials and support from other Lucy fans who also worked at the Center, the Save Lucy Desi Center website.

During this last year, the Center lost two very generous donors to the Center as well as true Lucy fans, Bill and Mary Rapaport. The number of people who voiced discontent were minor to the number of voices of outrage at how the site was managed. Last fall, even Lucie Arnaz tried to resolve the issues constraining the Center but it was met with resistance and deaf ears. As of this past July, even Melody Thomas Scott left leaving no Founding Board Members in place for the Lucy-Desi Center.

In a small town such as Jamestown, it only takes a few to bind together and cause mischief and mahem but in the end, it was Lucy and Desi that won out. But unfortunately it isn't over yet, one remaining supporter of the ousted duo, Patricia Smith is now serving as the interim director responsible for the day-to-day operations. But that is only a matter of time before everything catches up and she too will be gone. Karma is a funny thing.

Now hopefully, with this firing will come hope and joy and laughter once again to the Lucy-Desi Center.

For more information, visit Save Lucy Desi Center. Be sure to read the forums for the latest up-to-date news as well as the historical background of the misdeeds that ended the rein of Ric Wyman.

Keith Thibodeaux, "Little Ricky" on Shokus Radio

Keith Thibodeaux, aka Richard Keith, who played Little Ricky on "I Love Lucy" and Johnny Paul Jason on "The Andy Griffith Show" will be Stu Shostak's guest on "Stu's Show" live this Wednesday, September 10 at 4:00 p.m. PDT (7:00 p.m. EDT).

Keith has been a drummer since he was two years old, and was called a prodigy at age 4 by bandleader Horace Heidt. He won the role of Little Ricky at age 6 after an impromptu drum audition with Desi Arnaz, which spawned an acting career that lasted into the 1960s. Besides "Lucy" and "Griffith", Keith has appeared on "Route 66", "The Joey Bishop Show", and "Hazel", but the thrust of his career since those years has been split between drumming for various rock groups including the spiritual David and the Giants, and as Executive Director for Ballet Magnificat, a touring dance company that is co-owned by Keith's wife Kathy. The company has just returned from an engagement in South America.

Stu will ask Keith about his years with Lucy and Desi both on and off screen, as well as his other TV appearances, the turbulent period that followed when his life included dependencies on alcohol and drugs, and his success in overcoming them. In addition, listeners will be invited to participate with their questions by calling the toll-free number during the live broadcast.

"Stu's Show" airs live each Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. PDT on Shokus Internet Radio, with rebroadcasts at the same time daily. Access to the station's feed is free, with no registration required, and is available either by clicking on the "Enter Site" button on the home page and by choosing one of the audio player links on the main page or via iTunes by selecting Radio/Eclectic and then locating the station's name alphabetically in the list.

Shokus Internet Radio is a service of Shokus Video, and is "TV on the radio for baby boomers", with live call-in talk shows featuring TV celebrities, classic stand-up comedy from the great comedians, and big band, easy listening, and 50s/60s golden hits during the morning and afternoon drive times.

UPDATE: The show will rebroadcast through next Tuesday, September 23 in case anyone misses the live show!

New Mattel Lucille Ball and Ricky Ricardo Dolls

Mattel released pictures of the upcoming "I Love Lucy" series doll featuring Ricky Ricardo as Santa. Coming in October and available from WalMart stores, this is the 16th edition of the series for Mattel. This is the first to feature Ricky Ricardo as a solo doll dressed as Santa Claus from "The Christmas Show", also known as "Jingle Bells" or "The Lost Episode," which originally aired on television on December 24, 1956.

Another doll being released this month in a new series by Mattel, "Legendary Lady of Comedy" features Lucille Ball in a black dress. This doll is available in September at WalMart stores as well.

The complete list of Mattel dolls in the "I Love Lucy" series and their year of release are:

1997: Vitameatavegamin Lucy ("Lucy Does A TV Commercial")
1998: The Candy Factory Lucy ("Job Switching")
1999: Grape Stomping Lucy ("Lucy's Italian Movie")
2000: Lucy & Ricky Boxed Set ("Lucy Is Enceinte")
2001: Carmen Miranda Lucy ("Be A Pal")
2002: Lucy's Paris Gown ("Paris At Last")
2003: Putty Nose Lucy ("L.A. At Last")
2004: Lucy's Polka Dot Dress ("Sales Resistance")
2005: Gypsy Queen Lucy ("The Operetta")
2006: Showgirl Lucy ("Lucy Gets In Pictures")
2006: Special Edition Santa Lucy ("'I Love Lucy' Christmas Special")
2007: Lucy & Ethel Boxed Set ("Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress")
2007: Pilot Episode Lucy ("The Audition")
2007: Ethel Platinum Edition ("'I Love Lucy' Christmas Special")
2008: Lucy & Ethel Set ("Lucy & Ethel Candy Factory")

Vintage Lucille Ball Movie Posters Donated

The movie poster exhibit in Jamestown, New York’s new and expanded Lucy-Desi Museum was made possible by recent gifts to the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Lucy’s hometown.

New Jersey collector Joe Genua donated three original 1940’s movie posters from Lucille Ball’s film career including a vintage 1944 poster for the MGM musical, Meet The People, co-starring William Powell. Two other posters provided to the Lucy-Desi Center by Genua include an original 1946 poster for the Universal Studios comedy, Lover Come Back and one for the 1947 film, Her Husband’s Affairs, Lucille Ball’s first film for Columbia Pictures.

“I’m happy to support Jamestown’s Lucy-Desi Center with this donation,” Genua said. “The Lucy-Desi Center is committed to celebrating the memory of two people that have brought so much joy, so much laughter and so many fond memories not only to me, but to millions of people throughout the world. Donating this poster is just a small token of my appreciation.”

Longtime Lucy-Desi fan Patti Oelrich also contributed two movie posters. An original poster promoting Yours, Mine, & Ours, the 1968 film co-starring Henry Fonda that inspired the creation of TV series, The Brady Bunch is now on display in the Lucy-Desi Museum. Oelrich’s second contribution is a poster documenting Lucille Ball’s last motion picture, the 1974 musical, Mame.

From her home in Illinois, Oelrich said, “I’m very familiar with all that Jamestown does to celebrate my favorite redhead. During my first visit to Jamestown in 1989, I never dreamed that one day I’d be able to contribute to a museum in Lucy’s honor. I’m happy to be a part of something that means so much to so many.”

New Mattel Lucille Ball Doll Series Coming

A new Mattel series, entitled "Lucille Ball (First Ever)" will debut in November 2008. This new series will begin with Lucille Ball wearing a black evening dress. This series is not to be confused with the "I Love Lucy" Barbie Doll Series. This is a new series of Lucille ball dolls.

The doll will retail for $89.99 but probably can be found for less depending on the retailer and whether it is found online or elsewhere.

I hope this doesn't spell the end of the "I Love Lucy" Barbie Series as there are so many episodes left that would make great collectables. If it's not, then I'm going to have to start keeping track of two series and find more shelf space!

Happy Birthday Lucy!

Today is Lucille Ball's birthday. She would have been 97. Born in Jamestown, New York she became one of the most loved and best female comedians of all time.

View more about the phenominea that was model, movie starlet, radio star and TV sitcom idol not to mention Studio powerhouse that is known as Lucille Ball at Everything Lucy.

Happy Birthday Lucy - We'll Always Love You!

"Teensy" from I Love Lucy fame on Internet Radio Program

When the Ricardos and the Mertzes traveled to Hollywood during the fourth season of "I Love Lucy" and zoomed through Bent Fork, TN, they were reunited with Cousin Ernie (Tennessee Ernie Ford). Soon they became embroiled with the local sheriff and his two daughters. Well, one of those daughters will share her real-life experiences working on "I Love Lucy" when actress Marilyn Borden ("Teensy") appears live on "Stu's Show" with host Stu Shostak on Shokus Internet Radio this Wednesday August 6th (Lucy's 97th birthday!) from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. PDT (7-9 p.m. EDT). Marilyn will talk about her entire career, including working with such legends as Jimmy Durante and Bob Newhart. Also on the show will be actor Wayne Stam, who played Uncle Martin's 11-year-old nephew Andromeda in a classic episode of "My Favorite Martian", another series produced for two seasons on the Desilu lot. Listeners are encouraged to call in toll-free with their questions during the broadcast.

"Stu's Show" airs live each Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. PDT on Shokus Internet Radio, with rebroadcasts at the same time daily. Access to the station's feed is free, with no registration required, and is available either by clicking on the ENTER SITE button on the home page, by choosing one of the audio player links on the main page or via Itunes by selecting Radio/Eclectic and then locating the station's name alphabetically in the list.

Shokus Internet Radio is a service of Shokus Video, and is "TV on the radio for baby boomers", with live call-in talk shows featuring TV celebrities, classic stand-up comedy from the great comedians, and big band, easy listening, and 50s/60s golden hits during the morning and afternoon drive times.

An Inside Look at Lucy Town Tour

Reported in The Post-Journal, An Inside Look At A LucyTown Bus Trek.

On the surface, a two-hour bus tour through the area might not sound appealing to locals. Some would probably figure that they've seen everything there is to see all of their lives, so why go on a guided tour of it?

But the tour, led by Lucy Studd of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, served as not only a window into the Queen of Comedy's life, but also as a history lesson of the area's most notable and unique buildings and people.

The tour guide told us about Lucy's passion for bread and pastries from the now closed Jones Tasty Baking Co. She said that throughout her career, Lucy would have her favorite baked goods sent to her through the mail direct from the bakery.

In 1944, Lucy returned home for the funeral of her grandfather, Fred C. Hunt, who was like a father to her, Ms. Studd explained. Lucy came on the train and stayed at the Hotel Jamestown, which was obviously still a hotel at the time.

Lucy was born in 1911 in an upstairs bedroom on Stewart Street in the city. Only four short years later, her father passed away after contracting typhoid fever. After that, she was raised by her mother and grandparents.

Lucy and her grandfather had a special connection, as his passion for theater led her down her life's path.

Lilacs were Lucy's favorite flower and when she lived in California, there weren't any hybrids which allowed the spring-flowering bushes to survive the different climate.

Still, she tried to grow them at her home.

In Celoron, the tour group spent some time in Lucille Ball Memorial Park taking pictures of the lake and the memorials there to Lucy and Desi Arnaz. After getting back on the bus, Ms. Studd explained how the park used to be.

The tour concluded at Lakeview Cemetery, where Lucy and her family were laid to rest.

This is at the ''new'' Lakeview Cemetery, as the original lies beneath the James Prendergast Library, according to Ms. Studd. She also explained that when the decision was made to move the cemetery not every body was exhumed and moved to the new location.

Lucy rests with her family on a plot which, despite the best efforts of the groundskeepers, won't grow much grass. Ms. Studd said that the high foot traffic is just too much for nature and the crews to compete with.

A new stone path leads from one of the main trails leads to the Ball-Hunt plot. There are wicker wreaths filled with lilacs present, and despite the fact that a cemetery usually isn't a festive place, things were different Saturday.

Read more about An Inside Look At A LucyTown Bus Trek by Robert Rizzuto at The Post-Journal.

Hometown Space for Lucy Expanded

From RoadshideAmerica.com, The Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown, New York, always had a problem. It was a storefront, too small to do justice to what it felt was America’s greatest entertainer and her less famous first husband. That’s Lucille Ball, who was born in Jamestown, and Desi Arnaz.

Granted, the museum was in an historically significant storefront — the building where Lucy reportedly bought her first hair dye — but, still. The museum didn’t even have the room to consistently display its most famous artifact: a hairbrush that still held strands of Lucy’s red hair.

That has changed as of this weekend. A New Lucy-Desi Museum has opened, three blocks west of the old downtown location, in conjunction with Jamestown’s annual Lucy Birthday Celebration (she would have been 97). This building not only has room to display the hairbrush, it has square footage to permanently display Lucy’s gold 1972 Mercedes-Benz. And as a treat to visitors on opening day, the museum has brought in Frank Gorey, Lucy’s chauffeur, to pose with fans in the car for souvenir photos.

Lucy's Birthday Celebration Round-Up

As reported from The Post-Journal, Jamestown, NY -- Lucy fans packed Tracy Plaza at Jamestown City Hall on Friday at noon, taking pictures of Lucille Ball impersonator Diane Vincent and listening as Mayor Sam Teresi officially kicked off the Queen of Comedy's birthday celebration with a proclamation.

Urging all to recognize the achievements of the famous redhead, Teresi proclaimed Aug. 1 through 3 as Lucy's Birthday Celebration Days in the city of Jamestown. As part of the proclamation, Teresi thanked local sponsors, Lucy supporters, volunteers and the staff and board of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center.

Read more about Lucy's Birthday Bash at The Post-Journal.

Another story reported in The Post-Journal, Ruta Lee recalls one birthday when she hosted a party for the occasion.

"Lucy was in her usual: a wonderful pair of slacks, a great, glitzy blazer and a lot of marvelous, red hair," Lee said.

She describes Lucy as a fabulous lady who does it all.

"She can walk and talk and chew gum at the same time and she can dance and sing; she does it all, I just love her."

Read more of Ruta Lee's story at The Post-Journal.

Lucille Ball comes to Upland California

The Grove Theatre in Historic downtown Upland, California is excited to present An Evening with Lucille Ball, starring Suzanne LaRusch, on August 10th at 6:00 pm. Suzanne LaRusch, as Lucy, was awarded fourth runner-up on ABC’s The Next Best Thing, and finished as the highest ranked woman celebrity impersonator in the nationwide search competition. She is the Desilu-approved Lucille Ball official impersonator.

Suzanne is kicking off her U.S. tour by doing one special performance in the Los Angeles area At The Grove Theatre. An Evening with Lucille Ball is a delightful one-woman show based on the amusing lectures Lucy frequently gave throughout her career as her way of connecting with her adoring public and “giving back”. Using a Q & A forum, it features her reminiscing as well as addressing the most asked questions by Lucy fans. Through monologues, questions and musical numbers, Suzanne LaRusch recreates the magic of the world’s most beloved comedienne, Lucille Ball.

Act ONE reveals a 1960 LUCY as her popular television show I LOVE LUCY has come to an end after its 9 year run - along with her 20 year marriage to famous Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz. Expecting to only be answering questions and taking photos; she learns the awaiting audience is expecting a comedy performance from “The Great Lucille Ball”. Not wanting to disappoint her fans she quickly improvises by adding some “Lucy” type antics to the line-up. ACT TWO - 1974, as she readies for the opening of her picture, MAME, she realizes she has somehow been booked in the same venue and situation as 14 year prior and decides to again come up with things the fans would enjoy from “Lucy”.

Tickets to see An Evening with Lucille Ball are $25.00 for adults $20.00 for seniors. Group discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased by calling (909) 920-4343, by visiting The Grove’s box office or by going to the website at http://www.grovetheatre.com.

Picnic Slated For Lucy’s Birthday Celebration

Posted on The Post-Journal website, Lucille Ball was always involved in the annual company picnic for Desilu Studios employees and their families. A highlight of Lucy’s Birthday Celebration will be Sunday’s Fan Reunion and Picnic with special guest Wanda Clark, Lucy’s personal secretary.

Since the annual company picnic for Desilu Productions employees and their families was such an important part of the lives of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, it's only natural when their fans gather that a picnic would be in order.

The American Legion Post 777 near Celoron - Ball lived during much of her childhood - will be the site for the Lucy-Desi Fan Reunion and Picnic during Lucy's Birthday Celebration, Friday through Sunday.

Wanda Clark was Ball's personal secretary for more than 25 years. She will share rare photographs from the Lucy-Desi Center archives during the event beginning at 11:30 a.m., Sunday.

The Lucy-Desi Fan Reunion will be an opportunity to learn more about the Queen of Comedy from someone who played a unique role in her life. A founding board member of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, Ms. Clark is traveling from her home in Oklahoma for the gathering of fans from across the country.

Giftwear manufacturer All-U is providing more than $500 in door prizes for the event sponsored by Quality Markets. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Celoron's Desi Arnaz Band Shell that was dedicated in the spring of 2007.

For more information or to order tickets for Festival events, call 484-0800 or visit online at www.lucy-desi.com. The Lucy-Desi Museum at 212 Pine St., Lucy-Desi Gift Shop at 300 N. Main St., and Desilu Playhouse at 2 W. Third St. - all in downtown Jamestown - are open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Lucille Ball’s Hometown to Host Festival August 1-3

Jamestown, NY - Final plans are taking shape for Lucille Ball's birthday celebration in Jamestown, New York this coming weekend. A lot of planning goes into presenting more than 40 events during a three-day weekend festival - especially when you’re also opening a brand-new museum!

The walls have been built and painted, the carpet installed, the multiple video screens programmed, Lucy’s Mercedes put in place, and exhibits are currently being readied, so the new Lucy-Desi Museum at 10 West Third Street in downtown Jamestown, New York, will be ready to open for Lucille Ball’s Birthday Celebration this weekend, August 1-3.

Visitors from the more than 20 states and Canada are packing and making their travel plans to enjoy the festival with its more than 40 planned events. And the weekend’s celebrity guests are looking forward to their visit to the Queen of Comedy’s hometown as well.

As Ruta Lee, Hollywood Walk of Fame actress who is the weekend’s headliner, said from her home in southern California, "I look forward to reliving my life with Lucy and sharing the love and laughter with all her friends and fans!" Advertising Advantage & Eagle Systems are sponsoring Saturday night’s 8 pm "I Remember Lucy: An Evening with Ruta Lee" in the Reg Lenna Civic Center in downtown Jamestown. Tickets are still available for the gala reception that follows.

And what would a festival celebrating Lucille Ball be without lots of "Lucy"!

There will be two film fests on the big screen in the Civic Center, the former Palace Theatre where a young Lucy watched vaudeville with her grandfather on Saturday afternoons. Three seldom-seen episodes of The Lucy Show, the Queen of Comedy’s long-running 1960s television series, will be shown at 3:30 on Friday afternoon, August 1. At 4:30 Saturday afternoon three back-to-back episodes of Life With Lucy, her final television series, will be screened, including the last episode that was filmed but never aired.

Weather permitting, "Lucy Under the Stars" will offer free outdoor movies on the corner of Third and Pine Streets at 9:45 on Friday and Saturday nights. Popcorn and soda will be available.

For live comedy entertainment, you can’t beat The Unexpected Guests, Jamestown’s own comedy improv troupe! Jane Fischer, Gary Peters, Jr., and Tim Smeal will lead the group, offering their improvisational sketches at 9:30 pm on Friday, August 1, in the Tropicana Room above the Desilu Playhouse (the "I Love Lucy" museum) at 2 W. 3rd Street in downtown Jamestown. Opening the show will be John Schillner, a popular host at Lucy-Desi festival events. The Unexpected Guests will perform in zany "Lucy" ways, while John offers his own unique style of humor. For additional information on these and the many other events during Lucy's Birthday Celebration, call or visit the Lucy-Desi Museum & Gift Shop, 300 North Main Street, Jamestown, NY 14701, (716)-484-0800 (toll-free: 1-877-LUCY-FAN) or online at www.lucy-desi.com. Hours for the Lucy-Desi Museum, Desilu Playhouse, and Lucy-Desi Center Gift Shop are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 pm on Sundays.

Ruta Lee Plans Visit to Lucille Ball's Birthday Celebration in Jamestown

Jamestown, NY - In 1955, a group of talented young Hollywood stars wanted to change the image that actors and entertainers just partied, married and divorced. Their mission became "to achieve better mental health for our community and the world at large," and they called themselves "The Thalians," after the Goddess of Comedy, Thalia. The Thalians have raised over $30,000,000, and they support treatment of those afflicted with mental and psychological illnesses and diseases through The Thalians Mental Health Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

For many years Hollywood Walk of Fame actresses Ruta Lee and Debbie Reynolds have alternated the responsibilities of President and Chairman of the Board for The Thalians, with Ms. Lee the current Chairman. This year they will be honoring Clint Eastwood as "Mr. Wonderful."

In 1974 Lucille Ball was the first "Mrs. Wonderful" that they honored!

But it's not just Ruta Lee's long-time charitable connection with The Queen of Comedy that brings her to Jamestown, New York, for Lucille Ball's Birthday Celebration, August 1-3: it's her appearances on The Lucy Show and Lucy Moves to NBC.

Lee's extensive acting credentials include numerous movies (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Witness for the Prosecution, Anything Goes) and television appearances on series including The Andy Griffith Show, The Flying Nun, Mork & Mindy, Love Boat, Vega$, Murder She Wrote, and Roseanne.

On Saturday evening, August 2, in the Reg Lenna Civic Center in downtown Jamestown, the audience will hear Ruta Lee's memories of working with The Queen of Comedy, be able to pose questions to her, and enjoy a screening of her appearance in The Lucy Show episode, "Lucy's Substitute Secretary." The 8 pm event is sponsored by Advertising Advantage and Eagle Systems.

Immediately following "I Remember Lucy: An Evening with Ruta Lee," a limited admission gala reception will take place, giving fans an opportunity to meet Ms. Lee while enjoying live music and refreshments.

For more information and tickets to the theatre event and gala, call or visit the Lucy-Desi Center Gift Shop, 300 North Main Street, Jamestown, NY 14701, (716) 484-0800 (toll-free: 1-877-LUCY-FAN) or order online at www.lucy-desi.com. The Lucy-Desi Museum at 212 Pine Street, the Desilu Playhouse at 2 W. Third Street, and the Gift Shop are open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays.

"Little Ricky" featured in American Profile Magazine

Keith Thibodeaux, who played Little Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy is featured in American Profile.

“I never wanted to be a child star. That was in my favor. I just wanted to play music,” Thibodeaux says. “The best thing that ever happened to me was becoming a believer in Jesus. If I said any other thing was the reason I didn’t turn out (badly), I’d be lying.

“The gift of laughter is the legacy of Lucy and Desi, and I am grateful to have played a small part in that.”

Read more of the story at American Profile and view Keith Thibodeaux's biography on Everything Lucy.

1993 Lucy and Desi Documentary Featured with Lucie Arnaz

On July 10th, as reported by The Greenwich Time, The Ridgefield Playhouse Film Society showed the film as part of its Lost and Found series, afterward featuring a Q&A with Lucie Arnaz.

After her mother died, CBS aired what Arnaz called a "tabloidesque" and "trashy" piece about Ball's life. Arnaz didn't want that to be the last word.

"I thought, damn, that can't be the last thing in people's minds or mouths. If (CBS) hadn't done that maybe I'd have just gone on about my business and mourned like everybody else. But it lit a fire under me that made me want to dig deeper, find out more.

"I was on my own search for who this woman was and who this man was. I was trying to figure out why I was the 40-year-old mother that I was. Why I did the things I did in my life."

Read more of the story at The Greenwich Time.

Shirley Mitchell on Internet Radio

Veteran character actress Shirley Mitchell (Lucy Ricardo's friend Marion Strong) will visit host Stu Shostak live this Wednesday, July 16 on "Stu's Show", the signature program on Shokus Internet Radio.

In addition to discussing the work Shirley did with our favorite redhead, she'll also talk about her long career in both radio and television, appearing on radio in "Fibber McGee and Molly", "The Great Gildersleeve", and "Amos 'n' Andy", and on television in such classics as "Make Room for Daddy", "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "Three's Company", "The Jack Benny Program", and of course, "I Love Lucy". Listeners can also call in with their questions toll-free during the broadcast at (888) SHOKUS-5.

"Stu's Show" airs live each Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. PDT on ShokusInternet Radio, with rebroadcasts at the same time daily. Access to the station's feed is free, with no registration required, and is available either by clicking on the ENTER SITE button on the home page, by choosing one of the audio player links on the main page or via Itunes by selecting Radio/Eclectic and then locating the station's name alphabetically in the list.

Shokus Internet Radio is a service of Shokus Video, and is "TV on the radio for baby boomers", with live call-in talk shows featuring TV celebrities, interactive telephone game shows, classic stand-up comedy from the great comedians, and big band, easy listening, and 50s/60s golden hits during the morning and afternoon drive times.

"Visions of Lucy" Original Art

Since 1999, Lucille Ball's hometown has offered an annual art exhibit featuring original one-of-a-kind artwork of the Queen of Comedy.

Appropriately titled "Visions of Lucy," this unique exhibit showcases the talents of local, regional, and national artists!

Rick Carl, famed Lucy artist whose artwork appears on the cover of The "I Love Lucy" Book and fills the pages of The Official "I Love Lucy" Paper Dolls, is among the talented folks who have offered submissions to this year's exhibit.

On Saturday, August 2, in conjunction with Lucy's Birthday Celebration, all artwork will be incorporated into the Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Auction (preview: 12:45 pm, auction: 1:37 pm).

For art connoisseurs and Lucy fans alike, we're offering a special art preview online.

If you're unable to be a part of the festival weekend (August 1-3) but would like to participate in the auction, you'll find complete details on how you can place an absentee auction bid online.

For complete details and an online preview, click here.

Lucille Ball Scholarship Award Winner Announced

Gallager Bobseine is the first recipient of the newly reestablished Lucille Ball Scholarship at Jamestown Community College.

Following an aircraft accident two years ago in Mayville, New York, the then 17-year-old Bobseine was airlifted to the Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. The flight instructor he was sitting beside was killed on impact.

Recovering from 42 broken bones and other injuries delayed the Cattaraugus, New York, resident’s plans for attending Jamestown Community College (JCC) by a year. But it didn’t deter him from receiving certification for his private pilot’s rating and his intention to complete his Business Administration degree at JCC before transferring to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University for his B.A. in Professional Aeronautics.

Bobseine comes by his love of flying naturally, as his father is also a pilot. His dream is to create his own business around his passion, eventually opening a flight school and offering transportation services in helicopters and light jets. His determination and overcoming of obstacles were the traits that led to his selection as the winner of the Lucille Ball Scholarship.

In keeping with the character of its namesake, the scholarship is to assist a Jamestown Community College student pursuing an Associates Degree in performing arts or business, with special consideration given to students who show exceptional drive and determination and/or who have overcome unusual challenges.

Fifteen-year-old Lucille Ball was sent home from drama school in New York City with a message to her mother that she had no talent. It was through persistence and hard work that she came to receive international accolades as The Queen of Comedy. Her business acumen as the first woman to head a major studio, Desilu Productions - the largest production studio in Hollywood at the time - led her to personally champion the creation of Star Trek and Mission Impossible.

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz originally announced their creation of a scholarship at Jamestown Community College when they visited Jamestown in 1956 for the world premiere of their MGM film, Forever, Darling. The scholarship continued until Desilu Studios was sold to Gulf & Western in 1967.

In reflecting on his award, Bobseine noted, "I am immensely thankful to be selected for this award. I understand we must never forget the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. I could not agree more with Lucille’s philosophy that persistence and determination are the keys to succeeding."

This spring, ten initial funders from across the country each provided $1,000 to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation (CRCF) to launch the endowment for the Lucille Ball Scholarship. They are Ford and Jane Blaney, Wanda Clark, Chris and Tricia Olsen, William Peck, Melody Thomas Scott, Todd and Alexis Singleton, Ken Souza, William and Barbara Stubbs, Darrell Vail, and Lou Weiss. William Peck made an additional contribution so that the first scholarship could be awarded this year.

Randy Sweeney, Executive Director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, commented, "The Community Foundation has had the opportunity to help support a number of the activities of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center since its start several years ago. We are thrilled to continue this relationship with the administration of the Lucille Ball Scholarship Fund, which will award a student from Jamestown Community College. We are delighted that Gallager Bobseine has been selected as the first recipient, as he certainly depicts the characteristics of hard work, drive and a CAN DO spirit."

Online gifts to the Lucille Ball Scholarship Fund can be made through CRCF’s website.

Lucie Arnaz to Moderate Legacy of Laughter at Humore Project Conference

Jamestown, NY – Lucie Arnaz will be moderating a Legacy of Laughter panel and receiving a Laughtime Achievement Award on behalf of her parents, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, at the HUMOR Project’s 52nd international conference on “The Positive Power of Humor & Creativity” this weekend (June 20-22) in Silver Bay, New York. She will also offer a conference session “Ask Lucie: Up Close and Personal with Lucie Arnaz.”

The Legacy of Laughter event is being sponsored by TV Land. Mary Jane Price, Education/Outreach Director for the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Lucy’s hometown, Jamestown, New York, will be attending the conference.

This world-class weekend includes over 30 sessions focusing on the use of humor in business, health care, education, therapy, parenting, and life. Showing that humor is a universal language, over the years, these programs have attracted more than 21,000 people from all 50 states, throughout Canada, six continents, and The Moon (Apollo Moonwalking astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell).

“This learning-filled, laughter-fueled conference is designed to be positively productive for organizations, personally enriching, and professionally practical,” comments Dr. Joel Goodman, founder and Director of The HUMOR Project, which will celebrate its 31st anniversary at the conference. Goodman goes on to say, “In this challenge-filled world, we need humor, hope, healing, and creativity more than ever to survive and thrive. This conference is a great way to celebrate humor and to help people get more smileage out of their lives and jobs.”

The HUMOR Project has provided grants to more than 450 schools, hospitals, and non-profit organizations in the past. Recipients have used their funding to establish Humor Rooms and Comedy Carts in hospitals, develop a Geriantics program in a nursing home, publish a booklet on using humor in parenting special needs children, establish a Comedy Corps to telephone a joke-of-the-day for homebound elderly, provide humor resources for a shelter for the homeless, and much more.

According to Ms. Price, “I am excited to be participating in this conference, and to represent our Center at the most recent Legacy of Laughter presentation. The opportunities offered at the conference are sure to benefit our Education and Outreach Department as we continue our initiative to enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter.”

For more information on the HUMOR Project and the conference, call 518-587-8770 or visit www.HumorProject.com. For more information about the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center’s Education and Outreach, call (716) 484-0800 (toll-free: 1-877-LUCY-FAN), ext. 211, or visit www.lucy-desi.com.

"Queer Eye" Host Rodriguez Will Be Desi Arnaz in Dance With Me

From Playbill and Theatermania:

Four concert stagings of the new musical Dance With Me will be presented in West Hollywood July 10-13 as part of the Festival of New American Musicals.

The musical about the lives of the late Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz will cast "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" host Jai Rodriguez as the Cuban bandleader. Jim J. Bullock, the "Too Close for Comfort" star seen on Broadway in Hairspray, will also be part of the cast. Complete casting will be announced shortly.

Dance With Me features a book and score by Robert Bartley and Danny Whitman. The musical, according to press notes, is described as such: "Escaping the bloodshed of his native Island, a young Cuban boy sets sail on a turbulent journey that leads him all the way to Hollywood and into the arms of a fiery, redheaded movie star named Lucille Ball. At the climax of Dance With Me, Desi and Lucy put their money, their trust and their dreams on the line in a gamble to save one thing — their marriage. They risk it all on an untested medium called television. Can these two star crossed lovers blaze a path that defies Hollywood and history to be together?"

Jai Rodriguez has been seen on Broadway as Carmen Ghia in The Producers and as Angel in Rent. He also starred in Off-Broadway's Zanna, Don't! (which spawned a cast album), performed in Lincoln Center Theater's Spinning Into Butter and appeared in the acclaimed concert benefit version of Hair (also on recording). For his work on "Queer Eye," he received a 2004 Emmy Award as creative consultant/host.

Dance With Me was recently part of the York Theatre Company's Developmental Reading Series and is a finalist for both the 2008 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Festival and the 2008 Eugene O'Neill Music Theatre Conference.

Dance With Me will be presented July 10-12 at 8 PM and July 13 at 4 PM at 916 North Formosa Avenue in West Hollywood, CA. Tickets, priced $15, are available by visiting www.DanceWithMeTheMusical.com.

Alert: Fake Lucy Items on Ebay

Although I always have suspected items such as jewelry or "prop" items sold on Ebay and claimed to be owned by Lucille Ball have been fakes, one reader has alerted me to two sellers who hock these fake items.

He states, "For the past 7-9 months or so, countless alleged Lucille Ball owned and "I Love Lucy" props authenticated by a company known as Global Antiques have been sold on eBay. Unfortunately, it has been determined that all of these items are suspect for fraud. I personally, have been in contact with Lucille Ball's family who claimed not a single item reviewed was recognized as being from their mother's estate. Furthermore, a number of pieces have been found to post-date the "I Love Lucy" show, thereby disputing the claim that the items are original and authentic. You can review some of these findings below. I thought you might want to make your readers aware of this situation, in the event that they purchased any of these items. The two sellers involved were Auction Depot LA (auctiondepotla1) and Auction Shop USA (auctionshopusa). eBay has recently suspended the auctiondepotla1 account after numerous complaints about the illegitimacy of the items. auctionshopusa voluntarily closed their account prior to that."

You can read more about prop items on Ebay from Orginal Prop Blog, a non-profit that publishes articles and features on original prop items and other pop culture artifacts from film and television.

Several articles that featured Lucy items are:

I Love Lucy, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA

I Love Lucy, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA - Silver Creamer

Auction Depot LA & Global Antiques: I Love Lucy, Harmony Rose, and T.J. Maxx - Part 2

So if you decide to purchase something that someone has claimed as from the Estate of Lucille Ball or owned by Lucy or was used on the set of "I Love Lucy", please do your research and find out as much as possible as there are alot of scams out there ready to defraud you of your money.

If you may have purchased and of these items, PayPal has been issuing a number of buyers refunds providing that they paid via PayPal and no more than 45 days has passed since the auction closed.

Justin Timberlake Presents Lucille Ball LOL Award

Justin Timberlake presented Mike Meyers with the Lucille Ball Legacy of Laughter Award at the 2008 TV Land Awards Sunday, June 8th in Santa Monica, California.

The two buddies clowned around on stage a bit and then Myers talked for a moment and plugged his sure-fire summer bomb.

Desilu Playhouse Building Donated to Center

As reported by Buffalo Business First, the building that houses Jamestown's Desilu Playhouse has been donated to the organization that pays homage to the late, famed comedic couple.

Gary and Helen Lynn, residents of the Chautauqua County city who own the building, donated the structure to the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center. The two-story, early 1900s building has housed the Desilu Playhouse, a central part of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, for the past three years.

"This becomes another asset on our books," said Ric Wyman, Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center Inc. executive director. "It is a major asset."

The building is anchored by a replica of the Tropicana Room, the fictional New York City nightclub where Arnaz worked when episodes of "I Love Lucy" aired on CBS-TV. Also housed in the building is additional Ball and Arnaz memorabilia and a gift shop.

The replica Tropicana Room is not only used as a major stop on the Ball tours in Jamestown, but is also rented out for private parties and receptions.

Ball, who was born in nearby Celeron, called Jamestown her native home.

The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center has several buildings in Jamestown that house memorabilia related to the fabled couple and Ball's post-"I Love Lucy" career.

The center is attracting international attention, hosting more than 35,000 visitors on an annual basis, making it a leading Jamestown tourist attraction. The center hosts two Ball-related festivals each year.

"It certainly creates a wholesome family atmosphere and helps put Jamestown on the world map," said Gary Lynn.

Lucille Ball's Grandaughter in Comedy 'Alexandros'

Pictured are Kevin Symons, left, Katharine Luckinbill (daughter of Lucie Arnaz and grandaughter of Lucille Ball) and Chaz Mena star in the Laguna Playhouse presentation of Melinda Lopez's comedy 'Alexandros,' a gathering of a Cuban American clan doesn't go as planned.

From LA Times, this ensemble piece, having its world premiere at the Laguna Playhouse, is a family-reunion comedy that uses ethnic spice to enliven its reheated premise. A Cuban family living in Miami reunites to celebrate the 75th birthday of its matriarch (Maria Cellario). The party brings three generations together under one tempestuous (and pink-tiled) roof.

Directed by David Ellenstein, "Alexandros" is pitched as a screwball comedy, but the production's aim is slightly askew. The play teeters indecisively between outright frivolity and moments of psychological gravitas. "He was a lot of sad with his happy," says one character, and that line sums up the play's rather unbalanced tone of tragicomedy.

The Orange County Register interviewed Katharine Luckinbill. Luckinbill is playing a teenage girl, Marty, who's just beginning to discover the spirit of rebellion in the summer of 1974. As the play begins, Marty has just been dragged from her Texas home to Florida to celebrate the 75th birthday of her Cuban-born grandmother, whom she hasn't seen in years.

Lucie Arnaz Attends Film Fest

Lucie Arnaz and her co-star in "The Pack," Ryan Homchick, attend the Connecticut Film Festival in Danbury, where "The Pack" was shown Sunday, May 25th. The actress, daughter of iconic comedian Lucille Ball and actor-musician Desi Arnaz, attended the festival at the Palace Theater to watch "The Pack," a drama she stars in with Ryan Homchick.

The movie is about an ambitious district attorney who prosecutes a woman on three counts of murder after her 47-year-old husband dies of lung cancer from allegedly breathing her secondhand smoke for 30 years.

Arnaz, whose father died of lung cancer, showed her support for her latest film's anti-smoking message and attended an after-party reception to benefit the American Cancer Society.

New "I Love Lucy" Collector Doll in Development

Mattel will be producing a limited edition "I Love Lucy" Ricky Ricardo doll for release later this year!

This limited edition will feature Ricky dressed as Santa from the memorable "I Love Lucy" Christmas Special which aired on Christmas Eve in 1956. It is expected to be available this Fall, 2008.

This is in addition to another Lucille Ball exclusive due out shortly by Summer.

This will make the 3rd "Santa" doll that featured Lucy, Ethel and now Ricky. All that is left is one for Fred, which now will be expected.

My only thoughts are that there are so many outfits of so many characters from the "I Love Lucy" show for Lucy that I wonder why Mattel is focusing on one episode. As for costs, this is a cheap way of making a profit for Mattel on this series as the outfit is the same for all characters. But I personally would like to see just Lucy in various outfits from other characters she has played during the "I Love Lucy" show.

Let's not get into the discussion of DVDs from her other series - especially when they release "That Girl" series from the 60s on DVD and even today's shows that are still being shown on TV! As soon as a season is done, they produce DVDs from today's shows - Where's "The Lucy Show", "Here's Lucy" and "Life With Lucy" DVD Series?

Oh, well, we Lucy fans will still wait and take what we can get for now, but we should demand for more from the studios and from Mattel.

Lucy-Desi Days Begins Celebration

From the Jamestown Post Journal, The "First Lady Of Comedy" may be gone, but her legacy lives forever, especially during Memorial Day Weekend in Jamestown as Lucy-Desi Days 2008 opened downtown Friday.

The Lucy-Desi Days 2008 weekend is full of both free and paid-admission events, complimented by the attendance of several celebrities and vendors in the streets of downtown Jamestown.

Also, Future clowns learn the basics. Visitors to Lucy-Desi Days got a taste of one of the most time-honored comedic styles during ‘‘Clowning 101.’’

The class was part of the event’s Komedy Kollege attraction, which also featured juggling and balloon animal lessons during the weekend.

Jamestown Welcomes Lucille Ball Fans

As reported by Sarah Crump from The Plain Dealer, Jamestown, NY welcomes all who love Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

Are you an adoring fan of "I Love Lucy" 57 years after the show's premiere? You can't pay better homage to Lucille Ball than to journey to her hometown, Jamestown, N.Y., Friday through Sunday, May 25, for an annual festival in her honor.

More than 40 events, many free, highlight Lucy-Desi Days, a well-done community effort toasting Jamestown's favorite star and her husband, Desi Arnaz. For a complete listing of events, go to www.lucy-desi.com.

There will be competitions determining the best snail snackers, spaghetti eaters and salad dressing pushers, a la "Lucy" episodes, as well as appearances by celebrities. Melody Thomas Scott, "Nikki" of "The Young and the Restless," and Wilmer Valderrama of "That '70s Show" and "Yo Momma" will talk about how Lucy and Desi influenced their careers. A weekend-long collectors show, trivia contests, bus tours of landmarks and a scavenger hunt will be among the fun stuff.

Visitors should stop at the Lucy-Desi Museum, which traces the personal and professional lives of the couple, and the Desilu Playhouse, a museum devoted to "I Love Lucy" that includes the Ricardos' New York apartment set.

Can't make it to Jamestown on Memorial Day weekend? Jamestown will host another Lucy festival Friday, Aug. 1-Sunday, Aug. 3.

Komedy Kollege Workshops To Be Part Of Lucy-Desi Days

The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center will host a Komedy Kollege to teach such clown techniques as juggling, clowning and balloon tying.

Lucille Ball performed with numerous famous clowns, including Red Skelton and Harpo Marx. Teaching the skills supports the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center’s mission to enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter. Hour-long classes will be held each day at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Jamestown.

On Friday, May 23, professional juggler Dave Fultz of Kenmore will teach Juggling 101. All necessary props will be provided, including balls, cigar boxes, flower sticks and spinning plates. A juggler for more than 30 years, he has participated in juggling conventions and workshops including the annual Spring Juggle-In at Rochester Institute of Technology and Buffalo’s International Juggling Convention. His professional appearances include the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Buffalo Bisons, Albright-Knox Art Gallery and Buffalo Public Schools.

On Saturday, May 24, multiple award-winning Squeeze the Clown will lead two sessions of Clowning 101. The classes will cover the different types of clowns, their origins, costuming and behaviors as well as discussion of comedy movement and what creates laughter. One of the top 10 clowns in the Clowns of America International competition, Squeeze has won silver and bronze medals at the World Clown Association and placed first for three consecutive years at the Mid Atlantic Clown Association. On Sunday, May 25, Squeeze will teach Ballooning 101.

A limited number of tickets are available for the workshops. For a festival booklet or to order tickets, call 484-0800, ext. 203, or visit the Lucy-Desi Center’s Web site.

Lucie Arnaz brings cabaret act to Peterborough

Peterborough, New Hampshire - Star of stage, screen, radio and television, Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, will perform at the Peterborough Players' Monadnock region theater on Saturday, May 17.

In Peterborough, Arnaz will be joined on stage by Abel, a writer, composer and producer known for his work on Broadway and beyond. In the past year, he has written, produced, arranged, orchestrated and/or conducted for vocalists ranging from pop artist Taylor Dayne to opera vocalist Jessye Norman. He recently produced and arranged new albums for Deborah Gibson (“Colored Lights: The Broadway Album”) and Valarie Pettiford (“Hear My Soul”). He is co-creator and arranger of the Broadway musical “Blame It On The Movies.” He is composing the musical score for a new Broadway musical titled “Bricktop, which features classic songs from “The Great American Songbook,” as well as Abel’s original music with lyrics by his partner, lyricist Chuck Steffan.

“Lucie Arnaz Cabaret” will take place at the Peterborough Players Theatre, where an ongoing 75th anniversary celebration is under way through 2008. The theater’s summer season begins in June with “Harvey,” a comedy by Mary Chase, and will continue through November, with special events planned throughout the season.

Tickets for Lucie Arnaz Cabaret range from $90 to $150 and include a post-concert reception with Arnaz. For more information call the Peterborough Players at 924-9344 or log onto peterboroughplayers.org.

Ricky Ricardo: The 'Mr. Babalu' Next Door

Listen to the National Public Radio special tribute to Desi Arnaz.

When I Love Lucy appeared in 1951, mainstream America knew very little about Latino culture.

Ricky Ricardo changed all that: His heavily accented English — and his rapid-fire Spanish — were as new to some parts of the country as TV itself.

And then there was the music. Ricky Ricardo may have been a fictional character, but he played very real music.

I've been playing congas for 35 years, and I can't tell you the number of times people have come up to my drums, unable to resist trying out a drumroll and crooning the opening phrase of Ricky's signature "Babalu."

Of course like everything else about him, Ricky Ricardo's version of "Babalu" was a mix of fact and fiction.

Read more from this special tribute to Desi Arnaz as Ricky Ricardo.

Lucie Arnaz Presents at International Humor Conference in June

Lucy-Desi Center members will receive a special discount to attend the 52nd international conference on “The Positive Power of Humor and Creativity” on June 20-22 on majestic Lake George in New York. This learning-filled, laughter-fueled, life-changing conference is sponsored by The HUMOR Project, Inc., which was founded by Dr. Joel Goodman in 1977 as the first organization in the world to focus full-time on the positive power of humor.

A kindred spirit with Lucie Arnaz and the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, The HUMOR Project seeks to enrich the world through the invigorating, healing powers of love, laughter, and the gift of humor. Its funtastic conferences have attracted 21,000+ people from all 50 states and six continents and have featured appearances by Steve Allen, Sid Caesar, Victor Borge, Bob Newhart, Carol Channing, Art Buchwald, Jay Leno, Al Roker, the Smothers Brothers, and even Elmo from Sesame Street. The HUMOR Project’s Speakers Bureau and HUMOResources on-line bookstore have reached, touched, and tickled more than three million people around the globe.

This year’s wonderful weekend conference features a special appearance by Lucie Arnaz, who will accept the Laughtime Achievement Award on behalf of her parents, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. During the weekend, Lucie will moderate the LOL (Legacy of Laughter) panel sponsored by TV Land. She will also present a special session on “Up Close and Personal with Lucie Arnaz” in a picturesque setting where the mountains cascade into “The Queen of American Lakes."

This unique, fun-of-a-kind conference is based on Goodman’s philosophy that “Humor makes a serious difference. In this challenging world, we need humor, hope, healing and creativity more than ever to survive and thrive and to prevent a hardening of the attitudes. This weekend offers dozens of programs designed to look at the positive power of humor and creativity in business, health care, education, government, non-profit organizations, the family, and other settings. In short, it’s a wonderful way to kick off Summer and get more smileage out of your life and work.”

Conference Coordinator Margie Ingram adds, “The HUMOR Project is delighted to celebrate the legacy of the First Couple of Comedy and to host Lucie’s spirit-lifting, thought-provoking panel at our conference. You are in for a triple LOL experience this weekend: Laughing Out Loud while Learning Out Loud about the Legacy Of Laughter. Along the way, you will learn ways to add years to your life… and life to your years.”

So, if you are looking for a HUMORetreat that offers HUMORenewal, HUMOResilience, and HUMORejuvenation, you can get more information on the June 20-22 conference by visiting www.HumorProject.com/conference. You can also request a free copy of the 2008 Humor Sourcebook (see pages 11-23 for a description of the conference). To register at special reduced rates, call 518-587-8770 by June 1 and use the code “I LOVE LUCY.”

Desi Arnaz Paid Tribute By "That 70s Show" Star

Wilmer Valderrama, star of That ‘70s Show and Fast Food Nation and creator and host of MTV’s Yo Momma, will be in Jamestown, New York, on Saturday, May 24, to celebrate Desi Arnaz’s contributions to the world of entertainment

“Fez” from That ‘70s Show will take the stage of the Reg Lenna Civic Center at 8 pm for “A Tribute to Desi Arnaz: An Evening With Wilmer Valderrama.” He will share how Desi personally inspired his career and salute the man that paved the way for other Hispanic actors in America. With a collection of rarely seen film clips of Desi’s career, this will be a night not to miss! The audience will also enjoy a question and answer session. The event is being sponsored by Advertising Advantage and Bank of America.

Immediately following the stage event, guests will have the opportunity to meet Wilmer at a limited admission gala reception sponsored by Taco Hut/B&B Catering.

While Wilmer was born in Miami, his family moved to Venezuela, his father’s native country, when he was three years old. When he was 13, they moved to Los Angeles. He learned English with the help of television shows like “I Love Lucy”.

Wilmer began taking drama classes in high school and was soon appearing professionally. From 1998-2006, he played Fez on That ‘70s Show; he was a junior in high school when the pilot episode was filmed. Since 2006, he has produced and hosted the MTV series Yo Momma. He recently launched his own men’s fashion label, Calavena.

Wilmer voiced Rodrigo in Clifford’s Really Big Movie, and voices the main character, Manny, in the Disney Channel’s Handy Manny series for preschoolers. His other film credits include Summer Catch, Party Monster, Beauty Shop, The Darwin Awards, Unaccompanied Minors, El Muerto, The Condor, Save the Date, and ChiPS that will be released in 2009. Other big screen film projects Wilmer is currently starring in include Days of Wrath and Columbus Day, both of which are slated for release later this year.

Wilmer’s appearance in Jamestown headlines more than 40 events during Lucy-Desi Days Memorial Day Weekend Festival, May 23-25.

For a Festival booklet and to order tickets, call (716) 484-0800 (toll-free: 1-877-LUCY-FAN) ext. 203 or visit online at www.lucy-desi.com.

Lucy-Desi Center Reestablishes Lucille Ball Scholarship

The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, New York, has reestablished a scholarship at Jamestown Community College in the name of Jamestown native Lucille Ball.

The language establishing the new scholarship states:

In commemoration of Lucille Ball’s commitment to Jamestown Community College by initially establishing the Lucille Ball Scholarship in 1956, and

In recognition of the determination and hard work that – despite her being sent home from New York City’s John Murray Anderson-Robert Milton School of Drama with a message to her mother that she had no talent – led to her being accepted internationally as The Queen of Comedy, and

In acknowledgement of her business acumen as the first woman to head a major Hollywood studio, Desilu Productions – the largest production studio at the time – and personally championing the creation of Star Trek and Mission Impossible,

The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in her hometown, Jamestown, New York, establishes the Lucille Ball Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship is designated “to assist a Jamestown Community College student pursuing an Associates Degree in performing arts (theatre, music) or business with no less than a 2.0 G.P.A. Special consideration will be given to students who show exceptional drive and determination and/or who have overcome unusual challenges. Exceptional talent, alone, is not a determining qualification. Student must demonstrate financial need.”

Ten initial funders from across the country each provided $1,000 to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to launch the new endowment. They are Ford and Jane Blaney (IN), Chris and Tricia Olsen (CA), William Peck (in memory of Barbara “Bonnie” Johnson) (NJ), Melody Thomas Scott (CA), Todd and Alexis Singleton (NY), Ken Souza (CA), Wanda Clark Stamatovich (OK), William and Barbara Stubbs (in memory of Marion Strong Stubbs VanVlack) (VA), Darrell Vail (Washington, D.C.), and Lou Weiss (NY). William Peck made an additional contribution so that the first Lucille Ball scholarship could be awarded this spring.

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz originally announced their creation of a scholarship at Jamestown Community College when they visited Jamestown in 1956 for the world premiere of their MGM film, Forever, Darling. Initial funder Chris Olsen’s mother, Janice, was their homecoming queen, and a picture of Desi crowning Janice graced the front page of the local newspapers. The scholarship continued until Lucy and Desi’s Hollywood production studio, Desilu Studios, was sold to Gulf & Western in 1967.

Randy Sweeney, Executive Director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, stated, “Lucille Ball made a longstanding mark on the business and entertainment world with her many accomplishments. The Community Foundation is excited to be able to administer this scholarship which may provide the necessary assistance to a person pursuing a similar career through Jamestown Community College.”

Additional individuals can be designated “inaugural contributors” by making a donation to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation (CRCF) earmarked for the Lucille Ball Scholarship Fund by June 15, 2008. Online gifts to the fund can be made through CRCF’s website at www.crcfonline.org.

Scholarship application forms are available through the Jamestown Community College Financial Aid Office.

Original I Love Lucy Script to be Auctioned

For collectors of Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, and “I Love Lucy” memorabilia, Jamestown, New York is the place to be on Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25! With both a Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Auction and an extensive Collectors’ Show, Lucy-Desi Days 2008 in The Queen of Comedy’s hometown offers rare treasures for seasoned collectors as well as affordable starter items for the beginner.

With a preview for ticket holders at 12:45 pm on Saturday, May 24, the Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Auction will offer more than 100 vintage items grouped by themes: advertisements, retired collectibles, comic books, dolls, postage stamps, and more. Of special interest will be a collection of color candid snapshots from a party held in the backyard of Lucille Ball’s Beverly Hills home in the mid 1970’s. Party guests seen in the photos include Farrah Fawcett, Lee Majors, Mel Brooks, Mary Wickes, Dom DeLuise, Lucie Arnaz, Eva Gabor, Allen Ludden, Dick Van Patten, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Gary Morton, Chuck Wollery, and others. A cleverly designed one-of-a-kind “Lucy”-themed storage trunk will also be offered as will an original “I Love Lucy” script from 1953. And there will be an opportunity to bid on three Mattel Ethel Mertz limited edition (only 999 made) Santa dolls.

The auction is sponsored by Ludwig Auction & Realty Co. and will be held at the Reg Lenna Civic Center, 116 E. Third Street in downtown Jamestown.

Another weekend-long opportunity for both collectors and just the curious is the Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Collectors’ Show at 217 N. Main Street. The Show’s hours are 10 am-4 pm on Friday and Sunday (May 23 and 25), and 9 am-5 pm on Saturday (May 24). Among the offerings will be Lucy-Desi collector plates, dolls, movie posters, magazines, and more. The show is limited to vintage and out-of-production collectibles. Admission to the Collectors’ Show is free.

Also at the Collectors’ Show site will be a professional photo opportunity on Friday 1-3 pm, Saturday 11 am-3 pm, and Sunday 12-4 pm. Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Lucy”, Diane Vincent, and her sidekick “Ethel,” actress Rhonda Medina, will stop by to pose with visitors from 2-3 pm each day.

Another terrific shopping opportunity will be during the Lucy-Desi Museum Members Only Party from 8-9:30 on Saturday morning, May 26. In addition to a special screening and refreshments provided by The Donut Connection, the Lucy-Desi Museum will feature some amazing sales and a unique opportunity to win an Ethel Mertz limited edition Santa doll. Memberships are available at the door.

For more information call (716) 484-0800 (toll-free: 1-877-LUCY-FAN) or visit online at www.lucy-desi.com. The Lucy-Desi Museum at 212 Pine Street, Lucy-Desi Gift Shop at 300 N. Main, and Desilu Playhouse at 2 W. 3rd – all in downtown Jamestown -- are open 10 am to 5:30 pm Monday-Saturday and 1-5 pm Sundays.

Lucille Ball in the News

Better late then never! Some news features these past few weeks (or maybe month) that featured our beloved redhead.

Lucille Ball's daughter, Lucie Arnaz performed with Robert Klein at The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on April 19th. As reported by The Buffalo News, Marvin Hamlisch presided over the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra pops evening of Broadway hits topped by a semi-dramatized treatment of "They're Playing Our Song." Klein and Arnaz played the lead roles, just as they did 30 years ago.

Theatre At Sea - The Theatre Guild presents it's 36th Cruise with cast that includes Lucie Arnaz, her husband, Laurence Luckinbill among others. Cruse On board the Crystal Serenity, sailing from Venice, around Italy to Monte Carlo, Monaco September 12-24, 2008.

As reported in Playbill, Lucie Arnaz's daugther, Katharine Luckinbill will appear in the cast of Alexandros, Melinda Lopez's comedy about a Latino family celebrating a milestone, will begin its world premiere run May 27 at The Laguna Playhouse in California.

TVSquad features 17 comedic actors who moved into dramatic television roles. Of course, Lucille Ball who appeared in over 80 movies in her lifetime had many dramatic roles, the last of which was 1985's Stone Pillow.

AOL's Top 50 Best Comedies - Ever features I Love Lucy at #9. With number one going to The Simpsons for it's longest running comedy on TV from 1989 and still going!

Lucy Author To Appear on Internet Radio Show

Lucille Ball's career and her impact on television will be the topic on a special two part edition of Talking Television With Dave White, on April 22 and April 29 from 7:30-9 p.m. Pacific time (10:30-Midnight Eastern).

Michael Karol, author of Lucy A to Z: The Lucille Ball Encyclopedia will be the special guest. The listening audience is invited to participate by phone (800)407-KSAV(5728) or via e-mail at talk@ksav.org.

Talking Television is broadcast live, Tuesday evenings, on internet radio station KSAV (www.ksav.org). First-time listeners should visit the website prior to the broadcast day and ensure the audio streams properly. Those requiring assistance should e-mail talk@ksav.org.